May Bumps 2013, M3 Day 1 (Wednesday)

Today was going to be tough. We were chasing Jesus M3, who had followed up blades in Mays with some very respectable times in the recent regatta, rivalling Darwin M1, so we were pretty confident we'd be chasing the overbump (by times, we were the second fastest boat in the division behind Jesus, but that doesn't really help when the luck of the draw puts you behind them..!) In front of Jesus M3, were Selywn M3, who we were expecting to be bumped out before first post corner. Darwin M3 were in front of Selwyn, and we got a much faster time over a similar distance at Champ's Head earlier in term, so the overbump was definitely possible (and certainly more plausible than when we were chasing a similar feat on the last day of Lent's, when the course ended at the start of the reach).

After earlier carnage in the day, our division was already running about 20 minutes behind, so we were banned from practice starts on the way up to spin.

Thankfully, we got our practice start. Unfortunately it came on the third cannon. The start apparently looked good, but felt pretty shoddy, and I think we can do even better later in the week. We rapidly pushed off Christ's M3 behind us, keeping pretty good ground on Jesus M3, as they pushed onwards towards the bump.

Nearing first post, there was suddenly commotion, as we were only half-way through the stride. There was a carcophany from the bank party "Take it wide! Maria, wide!". Expertly steering wide, I saw determination in Maria's eyes. Then came the calls "Hold it up! Hold it up!". Darwin M2 were at a lovely 90 degree angle to the bank around first post, and we slammed on the brakes and drew to a halt. The next 5 minutes were spent floating about yelling at the bank wondering what just happened.

Turns out Darwin M2 somehow bumped up on Wolfson M2... And then their novice cox proceeded to have an interesting parking experience. Selwyn got impeded, and bumped by Jesus, but Jesus basically had overlap anyway, and we were about a length and three quarters behind. After a few minutes of CUCBC dilemma, Jesus were awarded a technical bump on Selywn, and we were well ahead of Christs, so awarded a technical row over. 30 minutes later, Selywn must have lodged a complaint, and they were both given row overs instead (which would have probably set up an unfortunate repeat of today tomorrow). But then this was once more over-ruled this evening thankfully.

We expected today to be tough. Turns out it was, but the strength required turned out to be mental rather than physical. It was an interesting day, and given the situation, at least we had a technical row over instead of a re-row. No blades now, but given our unlucky starting position, it would never have been easy.

Onwards and upwards tomorrow. Selywn, you best be ready...